NIghtmares and Dreams

Chapter 1

Lindy Lewis stood in her old red robe; oddly frozen, watching the flames consume all her possessions and memories. The heat was intense. The flames were as high as the treetops. Sparks flew and exploded in the air, cascading into spiraling tails of color. Clouds of billowing smoke brought stinging tears to the onlookers' eyes as they stood mesmerized at the scene before them.

Stand back, everyone, please, a burly fireman said in a gruff voice. The early morning March winds carried the smell of hot rubber for blocks and the fireman nervously waved Lindy back, as the paint began to bubble and sizzle on her car parked next to her house. A seed of doubt crept into her mind now, as she watched it all happening.

Maybe, just maybe, she'd made a mistake.

*****

There just wasn't enough evidence to continue the search. Tanner Burk had spent months looking for Sierra's killer and had only found one sure detail. It had been a red car that had forced her off the road! It was the one and only clue. The skid marks that led over the edge of the highway and into the ravine anguished him daily.

He sat down at his desk and slid the files over and began to go over them one more time. Somewhere in here is the answer, his instincts told him as he painstakingly read through them again. There were three cases; John Lund, a man he had convicted and sent to prison for book-making. The next one, records Tanner kept on the chief of police. A personal issue he pursued on his own. The last file was from the Reka Holmes case, a multi-millionaire, who had divorced a husband of questionable origins and means. The long nasty trial had resulted in prison time for the man. John Thomas was a thief and a con artist.

Burned out and restless, Tanner grabbed the files and locked the office door. He got in his car and headed north, away from the busy turmoil of the big city, into the peaceful rolling hills of cattle country and grain farms to see his friend and former college buddy Reed Conners.

I'm missing something! He blew out a breath as he drove, alone and in despair. The familiar ache pierced his heart reminding him again of the love he and Sierra had shared over the years. He put his hand on her file, and felt the coldness of the paper covering the pages of her life.

*****

There's millions of dollars out there just waiting for me! His eyes burned deviously as he sat on a bar stool at the Pit, gulping his whiskey and sucking hard on his cigarette. John Thomas was just out of prison. Broke and pissed. His fine clothes, jewelry, cash and easy life with that Holms bitch had gone down the drain with the help of that smart-assed attorney of hers.

Well, maybe not yet! He laughed slyly, then flipped his shoulder length hair off his face, and fingered the phone number in his pocket. Yeah, it helped to have the right friends. For a price his prison pal had promised a new identity. John Thomas hunched over the bar deep in thought.

Insurance companies, he mumbled and slapped his hand down on the stained wood remembering a conversation with a cell-mate, who was considered one of the slickest swindlers in the pen.

Yeah! I need to get myself a job in one of those goddamn insurance companies and have a front. He looked around the bar and his eyes fell on Angie, a hard working waitress with a second full time job, and kids that she was raising alone. He needed a place to hang out at while he worked on his plan and she'd be easy.

Hey Angie, what are you doing after work, wanna get a sandwich?

Her eyes lit up as she said, Sure John, I'll be done early!

Chapter 2

The phone rang with a aggravating shrill this late summer morning breaking into Lindy's dream. She reached out sleepily from under the covers, and fumbled amongst the books and junk scattered on the bedside table and answered.

Good morning Miss Lewis, the hotel operator said, There's a gentleman here to see you. His name is Jud Thurman. Shall I send him up?

Lindy sat up instantly awake. Jud Thurman, the insurance man! The months of waiting were finally over. This was the day she'd planned for, yet dreaded, if things didn't go as she had planned. She swept her hair out of her blue eyes, alert and cautious.

Would you ask him to wait ten minutes, she asked. Clunking down the telephone, Lindy jumped out of bed, ran into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater. Her red hair hung in flattened strands. She checked herself in the mirror.

God, I really do look pathetic, but it's good. Well girl, this is it, she whispered at her pale reflection. She forced herself to take three slow breaths to calm her shaking nerves and opened the door to a man with short brown hair; gold framed glasses over piercing brown eyes and dressed in a blue pin-striped suit.

Good morning. Come in, Mr. Thurman. Lindy patted her hair, straightened the

shabby clothes she had purposely saved for this. Excuse my appearance, everything I had was lost in the fire. Her voice held a tremor.

His eyes swept over her quickly. To cover her nervousness, she added, I'm still trying to forget that horrendous sight of my house and all my things burning.

He cleared his throat, Miss Lewis I'm sure it's a traumatic time. Jud Thurman unbuttoned his jacket and sat down in one of the two easy chairs in her hotel room. Soberly, he began taking papers out of his briefcase and arranging them in neat piles on the table between them. Early morning traffic hummed just outside. Faint wisps of exhaust crept in through the open window. Her bed was unmade. Magazines, a take-out carton from the restaurant downstairs and empty soda cans were scattered haphazardly around the cramped, faded Southwestern decorated room. Lindy's heart thundered and she was sure he could hear the thudding crashes banging against her ribs, as she sat perched on the edge of her chair.

She held her breath as he began, Miss Lewis, after a thorough examination and verification, my company concludes the fire was caused by a short in the wiring which ignited your painting supplies. Lindy exhaled slowly trying to control her nerves.

Jud Thurman placed papers in front of her and said, I’ll need you to sign these please, and then I have the check ready for you! Lindy grasped the pen he handed her and signed her name on the specified lines, sure she was going to faint from fright and anxiety. He handed her the check then and left after wishing her good luck. She closed the door and stared at the check. My God, it was over! She had one million dollars! And, like a kid she hopped up on her bed and began to bounce, up and down, until her hair stood up wildly on her head and her breath ran out.

I'm rich! I'm rich! I'm rich, she sang, and then clapped her hands over her mouth remembering she was in a hotel and the walls were thin. Now finally she could start that new life. Her dream.

Chapter 3

The heavy traffic had thinned out, and Tanner's thoughts went back to Sierra as he drove. He had been in practice for several years when he had decided he needed a secretary to sort out his messy office. A smile crossed his face as he remembered their first meeting.

Mr. Burke my name is Sierra Ames, she had said confidently. I've just finished school and this will be my first job using my secretarial skills. I can see you need me!

Tanner had eyed her with interest, noting the crisp blue suit and matching shoes. Her dark eyes, petite figure and blonde hair-do. He smiled at her confidence and fell in love.

Well Miss Ames, he recalled saying, after interviewing numerous people and just about to give up the search, you've got the job!

It had seemed that all the cases, the lies and the pathetic characters had all been easier to deal with when she had been there, and his life had been centered on his law practice and their being together. They had shared many hours of hard work, coming in early and sometimes not leaving until late in the night. Together they had gradually built a flourishing business and a deep bond had grown between them. She'd been gone almost a year, but he swore he could still smell her perfume in the office, and in his bed. Could it be her spirit still lingering there to comfort him? His eyes were fathomless pools of sadness as he remembered.

As Reed's ranch came into view, Tanner stretched his cramped and tired body, looking forward to a cold beer with his friend. The fading sun sent long shadows over the low-slung roof of the brick ranch-style house. The blinds were closed against the hot afternoon sun promising coolness inside. Reed had given up his office in town years ago, and only took special law cases at his home office. It was surprisingly quiet.

How long had it been since they'd talked? Right after Sierra's accident, Tanner remembered. He stood for a few minutes on the shaded veranda steps and gazed off into the blue-green hills that Reed loved. Mosquitoes swarmed around his head.

Something was wrong! Reed had a penchant for anything on wheels, and he expected to see his jeep, a pick-up or some range vehicles standing around. But, the yard was empty. The last time Tanner had been there, the place had been alive with flurry of activities; cattle in the pastures, ranch-hands working on fences, the cook in the kitchen creating wonderful aromas of Spanish dishes. The brown and white Herefords were gone and the grass had grown tall in the pastures.

Where the hell was he?

Tanner walked back to his car stood for a minute and looked around at the quiet lonely place. Heavy dew on the prairie grass sent up sweet perfume in the air. The only sounds were the buzzing insects and an occasional hooting owl in the distance. He got into his car and started back down the driveway, his analytic mind working furiously. Suddenly, his foot hit the brake. Gravel burst up in a dusty cloud as he stopped abruptly. As a criminal lawyer, had Reed run into some kind trouble? Tanner sat in the silence on the desolate road; his slim body slumped tiredly as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. A strand of crisp black hair, tinged with gray fell over his forehead. His blue eyes deep in thought, as he stared out the open car window, feeling more alone then ever in the middle of nowhere.

*****

Tonight's the night! She's got the money! The man ran up the stairs to his apartment and slammed the door. It had taken months but finally she had the settlement. The woman was loaded! At forty-six years old, it had been the hardest work John Thomas, alias J. T., alias Jud Thurman had ever done. Visions of a new car, clothes and Las Vegas danced across his thoughts. Okay Lindy Lewis, get ready for me! It was Friday night and J. T.'s plan was ready for phase II.

Chapter 4

Lindy had slept a few hours then began to toss and turn as the hotel walls were closing in on her after the months of waiting. She'd bought a shiny black BMW, and she needed just one good night of sleep before she got on the road in the morning for her new life in sunny California.

She punched the pillow in frustration and mumbled. Maybe a drink would help her sleep. She tossed the covers aside and dressed in her designer jeans, her new red silk shirt and high-heeled sandals. She applied her make-up with care and fluffed her hair.

Downstairs, the crowded hotel bar overflowed out into the lobby while the band played the top forty songs, and the air, filled with smoke and colognes, charged up expectations as the patrons mingled.

Lindy found a stool at the bar and ordered a brandy Manhattan. As she sipped her drink, her thoughts wandered back to her past. A hundred years ago, it seemed.

Lindy Lewis was in her early forties. As a young girl, she’d worked hard over the years, paying her own way through college, and later, worked and traveled for a chain of hotels. She leaned into the bar as she held the cocktail to her lips. A lit cigarette smoldered in the ashtray. Lost in thought, her blue eyes saddened at the memory of her husband's death, and the end of that wonderful secure era. And, remembered the ungodly unpaid bills, and the never-ending expensive repairs on their big house.

The brandy burned Lindy's throat, warmed her stomach, but didn’t take away the familiar ache as she looked longingly at the couples on the dance floor. She didn't notice a man take the stool next to her. Or, know he had been waiting for her.

She turned to him as he said, Hi, I’m new in town. New job. No friends. He reached over and took her hand, my names J. T. He was dressed in jeans and a white v-necked sweater. His dark brown hair, curled over his temple.

So what's your name, beautiful?

Brown eyes gazed into hers. A frown crossed her face for a fleeting moment as something seemed familiar about them. But she pushed that thought out of her mind and thought she‘d just been paranoid too long. She replied, Lindy.

Lindy, he said then, would you like to dance?

She smiled. It's been a long time J. T. but I'd love too.

The sensuous look he gave her as he stood up sent shivers of heat though her body. A feeling she had forgotten. The band swung into a slow love song as he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor and the beat of the drums echoed in her ears as they swayed to the music. When the number ended, she felt his arm around her waist, the slight pressure of his hip against hers as they walked back to their seats. As Lindy settled on her stool, he bent over and kissed her, then traced a finger over her face, circling her lips. Enthralled, Lindy leaned closer and inhaled his cologne.

J. T. raised his glass. Here's to us, Lindy, we were made for each other. They danced again, each time their bodies strained closer.

Why don't you come up to my room for a night cap, J. T. said, at the end of the evening and having drunk more than she normally would, Lindy threw caution to the wind, and agreed and they walked to his room holding hands.

Soft music played on the radio, as they sat on the davenport and J. T. talked about being transferred to Minneapolis from New York. His job at IBM. Lindy was absolutely taken by his charm but for a moment again, she wondered why his eyes seemed somewhat familiar? She promptly forgot the uneasy thought, as he put his glass down on the table and took her in his arms.

Lindy, he whispered as his lips captured hers again, I need you!

Just this once, she thought as J. T. began kissing her neck, her throat. It had been so long since anyone needed her. Minutes later, he did things with his tongue to her nipples that sent rapturous pangs of joy to her senses. He undressed her, and covered her stomach with more fluttering kisses. Time stood still for Lindy as a new world opened and J. T. began making love that was so intense, so erotic, and so extremely personal she was beyond protesting. Her body pulsated with rocking emotions, as her world exploded into a million fragments sending an ecstasy of tremors though her body.

Chapter 5

Tanner drove aimlessly, his mind in a shambles. What the hell had happened, Reed had disappeared!

They'd talked about getting together and going fishing in Wisconsin when he had called Reed again about Sierra's